U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) this week unveiled the bipartisan Congressional Colorectal Cancer Caucus, which supports legislation aimed at strengthening treatments and bolstering survival rates among Americans suffering from the second-deadliest form of cancer in the nation.
“This caucus will work to raise awareness and advocate for legislation to combat this horrible disease,” said Rep. Davis, who joined U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) as co-chairs of the newly formed caucus.
Colorectal cancer, which is a preventable disease, is estimated to kill roughly 53,000 Americans this year. However, when caught at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent, according to a Feb. 22 letter the congressmen sent to leaders of the U.S. House Administration Committee requesting the caucus be established as a Congressional Member Organization for the 117th Congress.
Rep. Davis and his colleague also pointed out that incidence of the disease has been increasing, particularly among younger and minority populations. Therefore, they wrote, “increasing awareness of the disease and encouraging people to get screened are priorities of the caucus.”
“Fighting colorectal cancer and reducing its incidence is personal to me,” added Rep. Davis in a statement. “At the age of 26 my wife was diagnosed with a genetic form of cancer, Lynch syndrome, that could affect our kids, and we’re fortunate that she was able to receive treatment that saved her life.”
Rep. Payne said federal lawmakers must increase funding and awareness of the disease “so more people can get screened, which will lead to more people being treated and surviving it.”